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Scientific Name:
Mahonia aquifolium ( syn. Berberis )
Pronunciation:
muh-HOE-nee-uh ack-wih-FOE-lee-um
Common Name:
Oregon grape
Family Name:
Berberidaceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen
Key ID Features:
Native evergreen shrub; leaflets sessile, pinnately compound with leaflets (reminiscent of holly leaves); inflorescence showy yellow clustered racemes; fruit are true berries, blue-violet, in clusters.

Habit:
Stiffly upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
1.0 - 1.5m
Growth Rate:
Slow
Origin:
B.C. west of Cascades, U.S. - northwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 5: (-29 to -23 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Attract beneficial insects, Mixed shrub border, Security/barrier, Wildlife food, Winter interest, Woodland margin
Additional Info:

Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Compound
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Leathery, Prickly
Surfaces:
Glabrous, Lustrous
Compound Leaf:
Odd-pinnate
Shapes:
Ovate
Apices:
Pungent
Bases:
Obtuse, Truncate
Margins:
Dentate, Spinose, Undulate (wavy)

Inflorescence Type:
Raceme, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Rotate/stellate
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Yellow
Flower Scent:
Sweet
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May

Fruit Type:
Berry (true), Edible
Fruit Colour:
Blue, Violet, Black
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy, Edible,

Bark Morphology:
Smooth
Bark or Stem Colour:
Grey, Brown
Propagation:
Seed, Greenwood cuttings, Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
Anthracnose, Fungal leaf spot, Leaf miner insect, Rust, Scale insects (Deer resistant, Drought tolerant)
Specific Pests:

Course(s):
  • AARB 1012
  • HORT 1155
  • Level 2 Apprenticeship
  • CLT Training
Location(s):
  • (BCE)  Boulevard (Circular) Eastend
  • (ONW)  Overpass North side West : 811
  • (QRR)  Quercus Robur Row planting
  • (WDH)  Wark-Dumais House : under Scots pine
Location Map